Bromley Academy 0 Tonbridge Angels Academy 1

Match 54/20/1857 - Wednesday, 12th May 2021 - Kent Academy Cup

Bromley Academy (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels Academy (0) 1 Hudson 87
Headcount: BCD

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 76/3,086

Our Academy won a hard-fought game at Bromley with an 87th minute header by Harry Hudson from a well-rehearsed corner routine that had twice previously found the skipper’s head but failing to break the deadlock.

In an evenly contested match, both sides had their chances but it was the Angels’ goalkeeper, Nat Gibb, who emerged the hero with a truly remarkable first half save which he followed up with a second period penalty save.

Tonbridge started the game brightly with Ned Lewis shooting narrowly wide after five minutes and, two minutes later, Keiarn Corner saw his effort deflected over the bar having been set up by Lewis.

Bromley responded and gained momentum but despite having several attempts on goal, Gibb was not unduly troubled as Hudson’s back line kept them to long range efforts until a 26th minute header from a free kick cleared the bar.

The home side should certainly have entered the break in front as two chances fell their way in the final five minutes. The first was denied by a wondrous save by Gibb, who readjusted his body weight to divert a well struck and deflected shot onto the crossbar from which the ball was scrambled to safety.

The second followed an uncharacteristic mistake from Hudson that allowed a low cross to the far post where, from two yards, a Bromley attacker inexplicably managed to scoop the ball over the bar.

Two minutes into the second half, Bromley were awarded a questionable penalty following a foul by Chester Smith. From the spot kick, Gibb guessed correctly to get down, low to his left, and save brilliantly.

Tonbridge gained confidence from that moment and started to open up the Bromley defence on the break. Regan Bowden saw his shot saved and Lewis directed a header at the goalkeeper before the corner routine, with Luca Woodhouse playing it short to Lewis to open up the angle for a cross (or vice-versa), produced the first headed opportunity for Hudson on the hour.

With six minutes remaining a Bromley shot narrowly went the wrong side of the right hand post before the Bromley goalkeeper saved at the feet of Cameron Wootton, when a square pass to Lewis would almost certainly have brought a goal.

Due warning was given to Bromley, when the corner routine worked once more with five minutes to go, Hudson heading over but two minutes later it brought its justified reward as Hudson’s header found its way past the goalkeeper.

Tommy Parkinson was very pleased with his side after the game, having been critical of them in recent matches. His side had a fair-sized complement of first year students who all acquitted themselves well.

Bromley Academy 4 Tonbridge Angels Academy 0

Match 14/19/1738 - Wednesday, 14th August 2019 - Academy Pre-Season Friendly

Bromley (1) 4
Tonbridge Angels Academy (0) 0
Headcount: 35

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 76/815

Tommy Parkinson mixed his squad into two teams for a double header against Bromley at Hayes Lane resulting in the Angels’ Academy winning the first game but being comprehensively beaten by a much stronger Bromley since in the second.

In the opening game, Luke Taylor, on his 17th birthday, scored twice in the opening 10 minutes as the Angels took charge of the game.

The home side slowly grew into the game but Tonbridge looked far the most dangerous throughout the half.

The second half began with a stunning goal to put the Angels three in front. The ball was well worked from the right before being crossed for Brynley Ruck to score with a stunning volley into the top corner.

Bromley reacted well to the setback and scored with a well worked goal of their own but Tonbridge easily contained them to see the game out.

Team: Roberts, Smallwood, Tyrie, Ryan, Borden, Pettman, Haffenden, Needham, Vitler, Taylor, Ruck.

The second game saw a much stronger Bromley side, based on second and third year students whilst the Angels fielded half-a-dozen first years and a couple of trialists and it showed from the first whistle.

Within the first five minutes, Bromley went close with a shot narrowly wide and also saw a shot strike the crossbar.

The home side went ahead on 13 minutes when the same lad that had hit the crossbar converted when he turned home a cross from the right at the near post.

The Angels’ Academy mounted a response and Ben Twist was unlucky to see his effort go narrowly wide followed by a trio of corner that were eventually cleared to safety. The home side reasserted themselves and goalkeeper Charlie Martin kept the Angels in the game with some good saves before the break.

A very well-worked goal gave Bromley a 2-0 lead within four minutes of the restart and the game was one-way traffic for the period up to the hour mark when Twist brought a good save out of the home goalkeeper who also saved the rebound from Harry Kempton.

Two goals in three minutes wrapped up the game for Bromley when, after 72 minutes, the centre half hooked home a corner and, despite a fine save from substitute goalkeeper Nat Gibb, his parry was stabbed home.

Manager Parkinson reflected after the game that they had been beaten by a very strong Bromley team but there were plenty of lessons learnt for a team of mainly first year students.

Bromley Reds Academy 0 Tonbridge Angels Academy 0

Match 59/18/1652 - Wednesday, 14th November 2018 - National Academy

Bromley Reds (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Headcount: 40

Admission: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 84/3,858

After a heavy 6-1 defeat against the same opposition at King’s Hill in a League Cup tie just a week ago, the Angels’ Academy will take great encouragement from this goalless draw despite having to mount a rearguard action for much of the match.

Afforded the compliment of playing in the main stadium at Hayes Lane in front of a larger than usual throng, albeit mainly made up of players and staff of the following match that involved Crystal Palace, the Angels were forced through injury to field a side shorn of several regulars.

The first half was totally dominated by Bromley and it took until the last minute of the half for Ned Snowden-Lewis to test the goalkeeper, Emmanuel Nwosui.

Bromley’s Klaudio Kraswiri and Harry Smith fired in early efforts that failed to occupy the Angels’ stopper, Tommy Taylor, who subsequently saved well at the feet of Rodney Adamen-Fruitor. After 24 minutes, the latter crashed a free kick against the bar with Taylor a spectator.

Spencer Cripps fired narrowly wide as Tonbridge rode their luck and how the ball finally came to be cleared following a 32nd minute Bromley corner, one can only applaud the steadfast nature of the Angels’ defence.

As if the Academy’s injury woes had not been enough coming into the game Jacob Lambert needed to be replaced at half-time whilst Gideon Donker lasted barely a minute of the second period. Rhys Bartlett and Tom Hylton took their places.

Whilst the traffic remained principally one-way, the visitors at least fashioned a few second half chances, the first of which coming four minutes into the half when a free kick delivered by Sam Slipper was headed over by Harry Hudson.

Taylor kept the game goalless after 55 minutes when he made an excellent stop to deny Festos Kanara who had been sent clear by Kraswiri.

The Bromley left back, Mario Carby, given a licence to press on was guilty of wasting successive chances and a free kick initially fired at the wall saw the rebound struck by Kraswiri go agonisingly wide.

With just four minutes remaining a free kick was met with a powerful header from Alex Beffo that should have found the target. Perhaps the Angels sensed that this really was going to be their day with Elliott Capel forcing the goalkeeper into a save and with the final act of the afternoon, Lewis steered a header wide as Tonbridge sought the ultimate smash and grab. Not to be, but the Academy lads can be justifiably delighted to have turned around such a heavy defeat of a week ago.